Saturday, May 23, 2015

So, Supernatural’s tenth season officially closed this week, in an
episode titled ‘Brother’s Keeper’, and I’m not exactly sure how I feel about
it. On the one hand, I love this cast and the characters on this series have
some really great moments. But on the other hand, I’m not even sure how fresh
they’re keeping this show after ten years on the air, when only five of which
were planned. Especially with that ending, which reminded me a little too much
of the way it went when the Leviathans were introduced – and let me just tell
you, I was not a fan of those incredibly disappointing monsters.

Anyways, let’s go for a brief
rundown of this season finale. Dean had gone AWOL as Sam and Cas desperately
searched for him and the ingredients needed to strip Dean of the Mark of Cain. Turned
out Rowena had to kill the one she loved as an ingredient to the spell – and,
even more surprising, she amazed us all by having loved anyone to begin with. Cas
garnered the help of Crowley to retrieve all three ingredients for the spell;
all the while Sam tracked down Dean as he haphazardly hunted down a nest of
vampires. Dean, in the end, summoned Death to help him make it so he wouldn’t
be able to hurt anyone, but ended up killing Death (I mean, how?) when Death
required Sam’s death. Okay, that’s a lot of use of the word death in one
sentence. Anyways, in the end the Mark was rid from Dean’s skin, which (dun,
dun) brought forth the Darkness that came Before. Did I forget to mention the
Mark of Cain was actually a plug that kept the Darkness at bay that God and his
angels had rid the world of? Yup, so, if your town or city gets plunged into
darkness, you know who to blame.

This wasn’t an altogether bad
episode. I mean, we did get to see Dean trash a room, and Jensen Ackles use
those lovely arm muscles he has to do that. What is it about a rugged man in a
black t-shirt that’s so lovely? I swear, even red eyed, Dean looks fantastic.
Jensen Ackles looks better now than he did in the pilot episode over ten years
ago. Not to mention, Rowena. Now, I wasn’t so much of a fan of Crowley falling
for her obvious manipulations (then again, I don’t usually like Crowley), but
I’ve grown quite fond of the three hundred year old scarlet haired witch. And
speaking of Crowley, I do have to say he has some of the greatest lines in this
series, even if everyone seems to forget most of the time how many terrible
things he’s done. Cas “begging” Crowley was just precious, as is the character
so often in this series. For an angel, he can act in such a naïve way that’s
absolutely adorable most of the time – kudos to Misha Collins for that. Oh,
and, while I’ve had my ups and downs with Jared Padalecki’s character Sam, this
week I couldn’t help but think poor Sammy. I mean, did you see that face he was
giving Dean close to the end? It was just so sad. The man may be taller than
Dean, but he looked so incredibly small in that one crushing moment.

In the end, I don’t think I’ll
ever stop watching this series until it actually ends, but it has still become
something of a caricature of its older self. I’m still not over Charlie’s
death, but I do love that the brothers were together in the end, and that Cas
at least shared scenes with half of them – though it’s preferable when they’re
all together. I still am curious how it was possible to kill Death – I mean,
he’s Death – so I greatly hope repercussions of that becomes apparent next
season, otherwise how would that even make sense? Otherwise, I’m just looking
forward to Dean without the Mark next season, and getting all three of them
back together in scenes (Dean, Sam, and Cas), plus bringing Charlie back.

With the official premiere of the
ten-episode event series Wayward Pines
this week, in an episode entitled ‘Where Paradise Is Home’, a whole onslaught
of questions has been introduced to the television audience that had the
pleasure of watching it. This is a series that has started off introducing a
lead character we can’t quite trust (in the past Matt Dillon’s Ethan had
hallucinations due to his guilt towards some kind of Easter bombing), thrown
him straight into the belly of the beast (he’s somehow popped up in this town
with no memory of getting there), and turned us on our head by managing to
twist time (Juliette Lewis’s Beverly has been there one year and she arrived in
1999, while Carla Gugino’s Kate has been there twelve years but only arrived
around five weeks ago in real time). So many pieces thrown at us without being
able to see the whole picture; much like Ethan, we’re following along with
mostly clues from his point of view, with only a couple from outside with his
family and the lead secret service agent Adam.

From the get go, I can already
tell this series is not for everyone. This is a show that requires patience
because we’re not getting the entire image of what’s going on. Similar to the
opening shot, we’re only viewing the close-up of what’s occurring, when we
really need to be able to pull back and view everything in a big picture kind
of way. Given what has been provided to us already, this series appears to be
something of a slow burner. Much like many a thrillers in the film format, this
show appears to be one that will be slowly pieced together, we’ll be given the
whole picture, and then we’ll have to deal with the repercussions of that big
picture. I mean, why are these specific people there? How are they all okay
with being held there against their will? How many of them are being held against there will. What is keeping these people
there, and why? What did Adam do; did he give them Ethan? Is this a Truman Show situation, just with some
kind of time warp? How has Beverly only been there one year, when in real time
it’s been fifteen years, while Kate has been there twelve years in five weeks
real time? Why can’t they leave? See, already so many questions – and I’m sure
numerous audience members have more, with working theories far beyond my own
grasp – with so many answers hopefully to be received.

Regarding the more behind the
scenes kind of aspect to the show, with a few nitpicks about the technical parts;
I’d like to start off by commending the casting of the series. This show has
got names like the aforementioned Matt Dillon, Juliette Lewis (who I am loving
already), and Carla Gugino, and then it also boasts the likes of Melissa Leo
(as crazy nurse Pam), Terence Howard (as the sheriff), Shannyn Sossamon (as
Ethan’s wife Theresa), and Reed Diamond (as Kate’s husband Harold). Such a
phenomenal boat of talent, I expect this series will fly when it comes to the
acting aspect. The cinematography has some kinks, but so far what’s been used
is certainly working for it, and is in no way a hindrance such as the third
season of American Horror Story’s
technique was. The colouring and lighting left something to be desired, but I
suspect that came more from a creative standpoint of making this town seem cold
and alien to our unreliable hero. One thing I had the most issue with was the
sound; it was so very raw, it almost made the episode seem a bit unfinished.
Perhaps they’re going for an unnerving quality to the series, but I got more
low-budget horror film quality from it. Even so, there was an intriguing
quality to the series.

Overall, I enjoyed this series
premiere. I don’t know how willing I’d be to stick with it beyond one season,
but if they stick to the ten-episode event they’ve showcased for this series,
I’ll certainly be a happy camper. Like I said, this is a series meant for
someone willing to test their patience, and speaking as someone with a very low
threshold, I wouldn’t be happy to have that patience stretched into obscurity.
I can handle the slow build and burn of ten episodes, but I expect to get
pieced results throughout those ten episodes, even if that means new questions
arise. So far, the writing, the way this whole series is constructed, is
working for it, but I strongly urge all those involved not to tempt the
audience by giving too little too soon, or too much too soon, because I already
watch a fair amount of series, and have several on my docket to catch up on, so
I’d have no qualms dumping this one if it doesn’t continue to hold my interest.
That’s just one woman’s advice.

Who’s got two thumbs and didn’t
lose part of an arm – not Phil Coulson! In the second season finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., titled ‘S.O.S.
Parts One and Two’, not only did Coulson lose part of one arm when Mack cut it
off to stave off the melted down diviner metal’s attempts to kill him, but
Jiaying attempted to take down all of Shield, Ward killed Agent 33 (mistaking
her for May), and Cal went to “Tahiti”. And that’s not even the half of what
occurred in the jam-packed two-hour season finale Tuesday night.

For all those that were too busy
to watch this series finale, there was certainly a lot to be missed. The two
hours kicked off with Jiaying manipulating the Inhumans into believing Shield
had attacked first, a whole thing she’d masterminded to eradicate the group
that could find them wherever they went. Ward and Agent 33 spent most of the
two hours torturing Bobbi because she’d been the one to (mostly unknowingly)
give up 33’s position that had caused Bakshi to find her. Skye was locked up
when she discovered her mother’s true intentions when it came to the only group
of people she’d ever felt a kinship to before finding her parents. Bobbi was
shot protecting Hunter, Mack decided not to leave Shield when it was
infiltrated by the Inhumans, Jiaying killed Raina so she wouldn’t blab which,
in effect, caused Skye to discover the truth, Ward decided to become the new
head of Hydra to avenge 33’s death, and Jemma was absorbed by the Cree rock in
true Marvel fashion (i.e. in the last scene of the episode). Again, that’s not
even the half of it.

While there were a couple of
things I did find a little farfetched – even for the Marvel Universe – for the
most part I found this to be quite a thrilling and entertaining season finale. The
writing was beyond superb; the episode really flowed well from one scene until
the next. And this double episode just made me love certain characters so much
more. When Jemma actually defended what may have occurred in Afterlife it
screamed character development. Mack I loved all the way through, and am so
happy he’s sticking around; all that snark he was throwing around, and his
brilliance in using an axe on the ship rather than a ricocheting gun. And Fitz,
of course, I just love because he’s finally become that happy balance between
quirky season one-ness, and the deeper, intricate season two character that I
really look forward to enjoying through season three. But the real MVP of the
episode was Adrianne Palicki’s turn this week as Bobbi Morse. The actress was
simply fantastic throughout her entire torture scene, and then taking the
bullet meant for Hunter. So many fantastic actors; this ensemble was really
just killing it this week.

There were so many intricacies
going on this week in this two-hour episode that I loved. When we discovered
the true reason Jiaying has been able to heal and live all this time we really
saw just how much she is not the benevolent Inhuman we were first lead to
believe. The way she was made into an actual monster by the cruelty she had
suffered is a terrible thing for her, but her turning against her daughter and
nearly killing her in the name of revenge when the man that had pulled her
apart was already dead. And it’s just weird that Raina turned out to be good in
the end; just goes to show how easy it is to label someone one thing and they
can then turn out to be another. Like Cal, who – despite his Jekyll and Hyde
ability – turned out to just want to help his daughter and was manipulated by
Jiaying into becoming the monster he had become. That’s one thing I love about
this show, people aren’t always just one side of the coin.

If I were to really go into detail
about every little moment in this episode, I’d likely be sitting here writing
this for a couple of hours. Instead, I’ll leave off with a few final thoughts
regarding ‘S.O.S Parts One and Two’. Considering it shares the same network as Once Upon A Time, this series has so
much better graphics. Also, I found a few moments to be quite shocking. When
Bobbi and Ward went toe to toe, I almost thought she’d stabbed him with the
nails under her nails. Also, when Gordon teleported behind Fitz, I almost had a
mini heart attack because I though Fitz was the one that had been stabbed by
that bar, but luckily it ended up being Gordon. And, of course, when Mack cut
off Coulson’s arm to save him from the crystal – doesn’t seem real that that
would happen.

All in all, it’s going to be a
long four or five months until this series comes back next fall. And other than
me not being for Jemma and Fitz actually getting together, I’m really not going
to have fun waiting for this series to come back. I mean, if Jemma is still
alive inside that “rock”. Jemma is still alive, right? And what’s Hydra – or
whatever it’ll be called – going to look like with Ward at the helm? Plus, is
Lincoln going to be back next season? I would not be all right with it if he
isn’t. Will Coulson get a bionic arm replacement? And if Skye’s destined to
lead the Inhumans, will we see more of them pop up next season?

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

If last night’s episode of Agents of SHIELD wasn’t exciting enough
for you, you’re probably watching the wrong show. It really is as simple as
that because I loved the episode, entitled ‘The Frenemy of My Enemy’. Coulson,
Mike Peterson, Fitz, and Hunter went after Ward. Skye maneuvered her way into a
trip with Cal – which didn’t end up being as one way for her monster doctor of
a father as was intended. May (hopefully) seemingly showed her allegiances,
just as Simmons continued to display her own. Bakshi returned and went against
(Did he?) the team that’d had him brainwashed. Ward and Skye reunited – albeit
briefly. And Lincoln and Mike Peterson were kidnapped by Hydra – yes, they are
still around.

There’s just so much about this
episode that I really enjoyed. Maybe it’s just from a self-professed TV
addict’s perspective, but ‘The Frenemy of My Enemy’ hit many storytelling spots
in just the right compelling way. Giving just a taste of Ward and Skye (for all
those still hoping that that comes to fruition, despite their antagonistic
relationship) was perfect to keep people at the edge of their seats waiting for
an honest interaction. Bobbi’s questioning of why the “real” Shield is so gung
ho about tracking down Coulson when Hydra is
still out there perfectly put into play what many viewers are wondering about
this new/old agency. Just the way each piece (or in this case character) adds a
layer to this series that when they’re all connected together in the right
setting (i.e. this episode) it makes for some tantalizing storytelling.

I’d just like to take a minute
(or, really, a paragraph) and toss around a few questions regarding certain
aspects of this episode that are bouncing around in my head, and also written
down in my notes. If Hydra was able to fix on Gordon’s location when he
“jumped” from one point to another, does that mean he is the one responsible
for them finding all the powered people? Why is May all of a sudden all
bothered by the notion that Coulson has kept secrets? Can it really be linked
to the traumatizing events of the last episode? It feels a little lacking if it
is. What is Ward and Agent 33’s – excuse me, Kara – end game? Am I the only one
not all right with Ward and Kara? Did Ward honestly think it was okay for him
to ask Fitz how he was doing? Does Hydra want Gordon, Skye, or just powered
people in general? If Ethan was the one dead in the body bag near the beginning
of this episode, does the fact that he had yet to transform (that is, go
through the mist) have anything to do with Hydra’s inability to find whatever
they’re looking for in his genes? When is Ward going to find out what happened
to Skye? Is Hydra going to find the powered people’s location if they are
tracking Gordon? He does go there an awful lot for them to not find it. And,
finally, are Lincoln and Mike going to be dissected? Or, perhaps, just Lincoln?
I would really not be okay with that. I’m a sucker for a good love triangle
(one that does not dominate the story), and I think Skye, Lincoln, and Ward
could be that. Of course, that won’t happen if Lincoln dies. Plus, I like Luke
Mitchell’s character, and would like to see him stick around a while. Whew,
that was a long paragraph, moving on.

Now, to the casual viewer this
series may not be all that great; I know at least one person that has given up
on this show after (to me) mild disappointment. But this series has really
picked up it’s storytelling since the first season, and season two is screaming
to me that this show is just starting to get really good. Although a spin off
series (possibly starring Bobbi and Hunter) is being thrown around, the ratings
for this show aren’t nearly as good as they should be to secure a definitive
third season. So, that being said, I implore all those not watching this show,
and/or all those that have given up on this series to jump back on that horse,
get yourself settled in, and just enjoy the ride. I mean, I watch a fair bit of
TV (at the moment, roughly around twenty hours a week), and not all of that is
TV gold, so – in my opinion – when I say something is good, it’s usually worth
a watch. This show is good, it’s first season wasn’t bad, but season two is
good, and I expect if it were to get a third season it would only get better. But,
I guess, if you’re not looking for good television, there’s always reality TV.

“At least I have my winning personality.” – Mike Peterson
states, after Kara tells him there aren’t any more face modulator things.

“Sometimes, as a leader, I have to do things I’d rather not
do.” – Jiaying explains to Skye.

“Honestly, I don’t care what’s in it; the only thing I know
is Coulson was just trying to protect Skye.” – Simmons says to May.

“Does it matter? You’ve got a cyborg on board with rockets
in his arms.” – Ward wonders if three armed men are really much trouble. “He’s
not a cyborg, he’s a Shield agent… with rockets on his arms.” – Coulson
corrects.

“This is about Skye.” – Ward clues in to what Coulson is
after that he needs Hydra for.